Hearing this, Wen Jiu was momentarily stunned. Even though he was used to life and death, capable of killing anyone without a hint of emotion, some ripples stirred in his heart upon hearing Ye Chen’s words, leaving him slightly moved.

In the autumn of life and death, what Ye Chen thought about was not himself but his three disciples, truly embodying the virtues of a master.

Having such a mentor on the path of cultivation truly makes life worthwhile.

"Master, then what about you?"

Wen Jiu quickly asked.

Ye Chen shook his head, "I won’t live for long. Even if I leave, what’s the point? Just take care of yourself."

"Master, that elder can escort us away from Deadman Peak, surely he can bring you along too."

"Forget it, any green hill can be a burial ground." Ye Chen smiled bitterly, waving his hand to signal Wen Jiu to leave.

Wen Jiu did not step forward immediately, just observed his hot-tempered master who fought at the slightest provocation, then solemnly bowed and left without saying more.

"Master, take care." After leaving the cave, Wen Jiu prepared to visit Feixian Peak once more to see Mu Canglong and the others.

Mu Canglong and the others had imparted their knowledge to him, and with an imminent battle of Golden Core level forces, staying at Feixian Peak would surely lead to certain death. Thus, Wen Jiu wanted to find another way for them, so they could live a bit longer.

...

Just as Wen Jiu left, a figure stepped into Ye Chen’s cave from the side as Purple Flame Ming retreated in fear.

It was Li Yan.

Entering the cave, Li Yan wandered leisurely through the half-collapsed cave, then slowly spoke, "Your Divine Sense and Magical Power are profound, your application of the Sound Insulation Technique rivals the pride of Qi Cultivation of our sect. An ordinary Early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator trying to forcibly spy on it would surely shatter the sound insulation barrier and alert you."

"Elder Li, what do you mean by this?" Ye Chen didn’t change his expression, standing up with a demeanor that suggested nothing had happened earlier.

However, when a pea-sized Spirit Insect appeared on Li Yan’s finger, Ye Chen suddenly showed panic.

This insect, nearly transparent like a beetle, had no battle capability despite being a Tier Two Spirit Beast, but had an excellent use: it could hear any sound within a radius of twenty to thirty miles once it desired.

Even if the speaker was inside an isolated Spirit Array or a sound insulation barrier.

"Spirit Stealing Insect, Tier Two Lower Grade special Spirit Beast with weak strength and singular purpose, but surely you’ve heard of it. I was entrusted by my master to monitor Deadman Peak with it, as a precaution against spies from Three Life Gates. Yet, it granted me such an unexpected delight... Truly remarkable."

Li Yan slowly turned toward the direction Wen Jiu left the cave, then heard Ye Chen behind him tightly gripping the Thousand-Pound Tyrant Axe. The murderous intent rose swiftly with the appearance of the giant axe, sweeping towards Li Yan.

Li Yan casually shattered the killing intent with a gesture, saying, "Younger Brother Ye, do not force me to kill you. Speaking of your disciple, his heterodox qualification is truly remarkable, his bone age just over twenty and already at Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer.

I heard people mention such a heterodox demon before, but I didn’t believe it nor paid it any mind until I saw him today. What a talent wasted at your Deadman Peak."

"What are you plotting?" Ye Chen truly doubted the other had any benevolence to accept Wen Jiu into Divine Extinction Thousand Peaks.

Li Yan stood with his hands behind his back, replied plainly, "Selling him, of course. I may not care much for heterodox talents, but there are those who do. Those old beings spend a lifetime seeking such bodies for possession."

Before Ye Chen could erupt with anger, Li Yan asked again, "Not even a year, Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer, is this kid’s Spirit Root truly inferior? If so, it seems the body must have its unique attributes."

Speaking as such, Li Yan showed a hint of expectation.

Moreover.

He eyed the remaining sixty percent of Deadman Peak’s century-old treasures held by Wen Jiu and his group, which weren’t anything extraordinary for Divine Extinction Thousand Peaks but could greatly enhance an Immortal Family’s foundation, ensuring more Late Stage of Qi Cultivation and even Foundation Establishment in the future.

"If you dare harm him, I’ll fight you to the death, and you gain nothing from this endeavor." Ye Chen gripped the Thousand-Pound Tyrant Axe tightly, murderous intent surged, fearless of Li Yan before him.

Yet.

Li Yan turned around, summoning a technique to crush Ye Chen so he couldn’t even stand, feeling as though he was carrying a mountain on his shoulders. As he stepped forward, he left a deep imprint at each step.

After two or three steps, Ye Chen could no longer move, his legs bent under the immense weight on his shoulders. Li Yan looked down coldly at this, a sneer on his lips.

"Mere Qi Cultivation dependent on heterogeneous skills, yet you overestimate your strength." Li Yan raised his hand again to press Ye Chen into the ground, no matter how he struggled, unable to stand.

Outside the cave, Purple Flame Ming, originally frightened, roared angrily and charged into the cave toward Li Yan. Li Yan didn’t turn, simply raised his hand and formed a spell, power converged into a palm, fiercely grabbing the approaching Purple Flame Ming.

"If this happens again, you’ll be like it." With this, Li Yan prepared to crush the Purple Flame Ming in his grip using magical force. Ye Chen still held value for controlling the entirety of Deadman Peak, thus he couldn’t die yet.

"No..."

Ye Chen exclaimed in shock.

But no matter how he struggled, he couldn’t rise.

At that moment, the cold smile on Li Yan’s lips suddenly froze as a hand reeking of corpse qi clutched his head, its claw easily bypassing the protective shield formed by the Protective Magical Robe, penetrating his skull slightly.

Though such a wound wasn’t life-threatening to a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he could feel that if this corpse hand exerted a bit more force, his head would burst like a water balloon.

What shocked him the most was the zombie’s undetected appearance behind him as a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

"My fellow!"

Li Yan hurriedly spoke.

Wen Jiu didn’t respond, controlling the Blood Demon Undying Bone to inject several hundred strands of Spirit-Extinguishing Corpse Qi into his body, aiming directly at his Dao Foundation. Meanwhile, a flying sword, aflame, suddenly flew out from behind Li Yan.

The sword darted out fiercely, flame and sword light erupting simultaneously, engulfing the zombie behind, further collapsing the half-ruined cave and opening a massive gap at Deadman Peak’s summit.

The sword light pierced through Deadman Peak, striking the Sect Protection Array, causing the entire Deadman Peak to tremble violently.

The Sect Protection Array cracked, alarming the cultivators of Divine Extinction Thousand Peaks within the main peak of Deadman Peak. As they attempted to approach, they were completely blocked by a terrifying Yin Technique.

Unable to move an inch!

"I’m fine, get out of here!" promptly echoed Li Yan’s angry voice, entirely frightening the Divine Extinction Thousand Peaks cultivators away.

Why did Li Yan suddenly speak like this?

Because his ultimate attack hadn’t resolved the zombie behind, instead, his Tier Two Mid-grade Spiritual Artifact flying sword was held by its hand, the spirit fire with Breaking Evil effect immediately erased by the corpse qi.

The impact was like a Corpse Exorcist Daoist summoning a Magical Artifact, but the Corpse-Suppression Talisman not only failed, but the zombie easily broke the artifact and chewed the Corpse-Suppression Talisman as if it was nothing.

Moreover, he sensed a special strand of corpse qi entering his Dantian, voraciously devouring his Magical Power.

The speed was rapid.

Within ten breaths, more than half the Spiritual Qi within his Dao Foundation was gone.

"So you’re not a Golden Core Zhenren... Scared me, hearing your earlier tone, I thought you stood at Celestial Sword Peak." After returning under Han Li’s alias, Wen Jiu chose not to kill Li Yan immediately.

Insult my teaching benefactor?

Intend to sell me to an evil cultivator nearing the end of their lifespan?

Just killing with a single strike?

That’s too lenient for you!

[Two Chapters complete.

See you tomorrow.

For fellow Daoists traveling during May Day, stay safe.

Enjoy your time.]